Biosynthesis of ubiquinone-9 in the regenerating albino rat liver

Abstract

The uptake of radioactivity from acetate-1-C14 into ubiquinone-9 in thin slices of regenerating albino rat liver was investigated on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th, and 15th day after partial hepatectomy. Marked acceleration of ubiquinone-9 biosynthesis was found during the first 3 days after removal of two-thirds of the liver. The maximal increase in biosynthesis (almost eightfold) was found 24 h after hepatectomy. This increase in the rate of ubiquinone-9 biosynthesis coincides with the time of increased mitotic activity and accelerated biogenesis of the mitochondria. A very small increase in the biosynthesis of ubiquinone-9 was found on the 12th and 15th days of regeneration.